একটি শিশু আগামী দিনের সুস্থ, বুদ্ধিদীপ্ত সুনাগরিক

আমাদের সমাজে  শিশুদের বেড়ে ওঠার পেছনে বাবা-মাসহ পরিবারের বড়দের ব্যাপক ভূমিকা রয়েছে। যাদের সহযোগিতায় একটি শিশু আগামী দিনের সুস্থ, বুদ্ধিদীপ্ত সুনাগরিক হিসেবে গড়ে উঠতে পারে।

শৈশব হচ্ছে অবারিত আনন্দে বেড়ে ওঠার সময়। এ সময় শিশুরা সাধারণত বড় হয় বাবা-মায়ের সান্নিধ্যে, বেড়ে ওঠে দুজনার আদর-স্নেহ ও ভালোবাসার মধ্য দিয়ে। প্রতিটি শিশুর কাছেই রয়েছে বাবা-মায়ের সমান গুরুত্ব। শিশুর প্রারম্ভিক বিকাশে বাবা-মায়ের ভূমিকা সবচেয়ে বেশি। বাবা-মা ও পরিবারের অন্য সদস্যদের কার্যকর সহযোগিতা ছাড়া শিশুর সুষ্ঠু প্রারম্ভিক বিকাশ সম্ভব নয়।

মায়ের গর্ভ থেকে জন্ম নেয়ার পর থেকেই শিশুরা দ্রুত শিখতে শুরু করে। যখন একটি শিশু পর্যাপ্ত পুষ্টি যথাযথ স্বাস্থ্য পরিচর্যার পাশাপাশি আদর মনোযোগ আর শেখার উদ্দীপনা পায় তখন সে আরো তাড়াতাড়ি শেখে। দেখে, শুনে, ছুঁয়ে, গন্ধ নিয়ে এবং স্বাদ নিয়ে শিশুরা তার চারপাশের পৃথিবীকে আবিষ্কার করে চলে। শিশুর জন্মের মুহূর্ত থেকেই এসব ইন্দ্রিয় কাজ করতে থাকে।
শিশুরা আমাদের আগামী দিনের ভবিষ্যৎ। সুস্থ, সবল, উৎসাহী, আগ্রহী এবং পারিবারিক ও সামাজিক বিভিন্ন কাজ করার জন্য দক্ষ হয়ে উঠতে যে প্রস্তুতির প্রয়োজন, তা শিশুর জীবনের প্রথম আট বছর বয়সের মধ্যে প্রধানত হয়ে থাকে। জীবনের প্রথম আট বছর শিশুর জন্য সংকটপূর্ণভাবে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ; বিশেষ করে প্রথম তিন বছর। এই সময়েই শিশুর ভবিষ্যৎ স্বাস্থ্য ও বৃদ্ধি এবং বিকাশের ভিত্তি রচিত হয়। এ সময়কালে শিশুরা অন্য যেকোােন সময়ের তুলনায় অনেক দ্রুত শেখে।

ছোট্ট শিশুরা যদি স্নেহ-ভালোবাসা, মনোযোগ, উৎসাহ ও মানসিক উদ্দীপনা পায় এবং সেই সাথে পুষ্টিকর খাবার যথাযথ স্বাস্থ্যসেবা লাভ করে তাহলে শিশুদের বিকাশ সঠিক দ্রুত হয় এবং তারা বেশি তাড়াতাড়ি শিখতে পারে। প্রথম বছরগুলোর যতœ ও স্নেহ-মমতা শিশুকে প্রফুল্ল করে তোলে। শিশুকে ধরলে, আদর-সোহাগ করে বুকে বা কোলে নিয়ে তার সঙ্গে কথা বললে শিশুর বেড়ে ওঠার উদ্দীপনা পায় এবং তার আবেগ অনুভূতির দ্রুত বিকাশ ঘটে। শিশু মায়ের শরীরের স্পর্শ পেলে এবং চাওয়া মাত্রই শিশুকে বুকের দুধ দিলে শিশুর ভেতরে নিরাপত্তা বোধ জন্মে। পুষ্টির চাহিদা মেটানো ও আরাম বোধ উভয় কারণেই শিশুর স্তন্য পান প্রয়োজন।

শিশুদের সঙ্গে কথা বললে, তাদেরকে স্পর্শ করলে, আদর-সোহাগ করে জড়িয়ে ধরলে তাদের মানসিক বিকাশ দ্রুত ঘটে। পরিচিত মুখ দেখলে, পরিচিত কণ্ঠস্বর শুনলে এবং বিভিন্ন বস্তু নাড়াচাড়া করলেও তাদের দ্রুত মানসিক বিকাশ ঘটে। জন্মের পর থেকে ভালোবাসা পেলে ও নিরাপত্তা অনুভব করলে, বেশি খেলাধুলা করলে এবং পরিবারের সদস্যদের সঙ্গে মেলামেশা ও ভাব বিনিময় হলে তারা দ্রুত শিখতে পারে। শিশুরা নতুন নতুন খেলনা দিয়ে খেলতে ভীষণ পছন্দ করে।

শিখতে, খেলতে ও তার চারপাশ চিনে নিতে উৎসাহ দিলে শিশু শেখে এবং তার মানসিক, সামাজিক, অনুভূতিগত, শারীরিক ও বুদ্ধিবৃত্তিক বিকাশ ঘটে। খেলাধুলা শিশুদের জ্ঞান ও অভিজ্ঞতা বৃদ্ধি করে এবং তাদের কৌতূহলী ও আত্মবিশ্বাসী হতে সাহায্য করে। খেলার মধ্য দিয়ে শিশুর ভাষা, চিন্তা, পরিকল্পনা ও সিদ্ধান্ত গ্রহণের দক্ষতা বিকশিত হয়।

অনেক পরিবারেই মেয়ে শিশুর প্রতি পরিবারের সদস্যদের কম মনোযোগ ও কম যতœ-বৈষম্যের সৃষ্টি করে। কিন্তু মেয়ে শিশু ও ছেলে শিশুর মধ্যে দৈহিক, মানসিক ও আবেগ অনুভূতিগত প্রয়োজনে কোনো পার্থক্য নেই। ছেলে শিশুর মতো মেয়ে শিশুরও একই রকম খাদ্য, মনোযোগ, স্নেহ ও যতœ দরকার। তাই মেয়ে শিশুর প্রতি কোনো বৈষম্য করা যাবে না। কারণ উপযুক্ত খাবার, সেবাযতœ ও স্নেহ-মমতা পেলে মেয়ে শিশুটিও যেকোনো ছেলে শিশুর মতো ভালো কিছু করতে বা হতে পারবে।

Rules of breast-feeding

After birth, the baby should be cleansed and taken to the mother's lap and allowed to suck her breasts as soon as possible. This will hasten the supply of milk into mother's breasts, increase its emission through them and as such, the flow of milk will become continuous. From then on, the following rules are needed to be followed during breast feeding.

● The mother should drink a glass of water before breast feeding her child and be mentally ready.

● Both of the breasts are needed to be cleansed each time before breast feeding.

● The psychology of the mother is an important factor during breast feeding. Hence, she should start breast feeding the child with a favourable intentional set up as well as with a quiet mentality.

● She should breast feed her child in a calm and peaceful environment as well as in a position full of love and affection for the child.

● When the child completes its taking milk up to its satisfaction, it will stop sucking the breasts by itself. At this stage, the child should not be disturbed but should be allowed to lie quietly on the bed.

● Both the breasts should be used alternatively during each breast feeding.

● The mother should never breast feed the child in a lying position. The mothers breast may block the child's nostrils and the milk enter inside them as well.

● It is not wise to breast feed the child each time it cries. The child may cry for a number of reasons. Hence, the reason why the child cries needs to be ascertained first before breast-feeding.

Often milk from other sources (bottle feeding) is needed to be given to a child instead of mother's milk. Circumstances which might lead to such alternative feedings can be as follows : (i) when the mother is seriously ill, (ii) when the secretion of milk from the mother's breasts becomes insufficient, (iii) when working mothers need to go out of the house frequently. Such milk from various sources may be of different kinds; for example tinned powder milk, cow's milk or buffalo's milk. Such kinds of milk can be fed to the child through bottle feeders or spoons and cups. During the early stages, many mothers prefer bottle feeding. But according to modern science, it is better to habituate the child in spoon and cup feeding rather than in bottle feeding for a long period. In whichever way the child is fed, one has to keep various items for preparing milk in a neat and clean way.

Remarkable properties/ merits of breast milk

Feeding is one of the most important preconditions of child care. To get a beautiful and healthy baby, proper food is essential. A child takes only liquid food up to the age of two or three months. Afterwards, it gradually begins to take semi-solid and solid foods. After birth, mother's milk is the best food for the child. This is particularly so due to the fact that mother's milk is liquid, easily digestible,nutritious and suitable for the growth of the child. The necessary elements for the physical development of a child like protein, carbohydrate, fats, vitamins, mineral salts and water are present proportionally in mother's milk. So, in various research and studies it has been found that breast feeding directly and indirectly benefit both the child and the mother. For its existence, a baby gets its nourishment from mother's milk. There is no substitute for mother's milk because the other kinds of milk that we get from cows or goats or tinned powdered milk cannot ensure resistance and fitness concurrently to the child. It is only mother's milk that can be termed as a full and complete food.

Properties/merits of breast milk

● Mother's milk is produced naturally for the baby. It contains the requisite amount of various growth elements that are necessary for the development of the child. Iron is present in breast milk as a mineral and it can be easily absorbed to from blood. As a result, it protects the child form the adverse effects arising out of iron deficiency. Vitamin C present in mother's milk in a proportionate way is necessary for the child. A child reared through mother's milk does not need extra vitamins and irons.

● Mother's milk is easily digestible and so there is no scope of constipation. This is because the fatty materials are present in mother's milk in liquid form and the lactoalbumin (protein of mother's milk) is also present in it in a maximum quantity and is easily digested whereas clasein (protein of cow's milk) is not.

● The child's habit of sucking milk helps to develop the lower part of its face properly.

● Mother's milk is pure as it is produced inside the mother's body. For this reason, there is no possibility of germs and bacteria entering into it. This cannot be said with confidence in case of other sources of milk.

● There is no possibility of mother's milk getting decomposed. It remains fresh as ever.

● Mother's milk helps to develop the power of resistance to various diseases and protects the child from them. The milk that is first produced in mother's breast just after child birth is known as colostrum. Colostrum appears to be sticky and is yellow in colour. This contains more protein in it than it does at later stages. Colostrum produces disease resistant power within the child's body.The protein of milk that we get from cows generally cause allergies which may lead to eczema and other types of skin diseases as well as asthma. However, the children receiving mother's milk up to the age of five to six months are less likely to get such diseases.

● Mother's milk does not cost anything. Keeping her mental and physical health intact through regular and requisite food, a mother can provide sufficient milk to her child. This does not need any extra expenditure.

● Mother's milk saves both time and energy and does not require any of these in excess. But this is not the case of other sources of milk.

● Quite a significant number of mothers believe that they will be confined to their homes if they do breast feeding. Although such an idea is partially true, examples against it can be cited. One of such an example is that during the time of traveling, this habit of breast feeding makes the journey easy and comfortable to a great extent and is safe for both the mother and the child. Besides, the mother can easily breast feed the child at night, too.

● Breast feeding helps both the mother and the child in attaining emotional fulfillment. It also helps in the development of interrelationship between the mother and the child in a better way. A heavenly comfort prevails between the giver and the receiver of breast milk. The child finds happiness, comfort and assurance within the mother's lap.

● Breast feeding helps to develop a sense of security in the child. It has been found that children reared through breast feeding have less tendency of thumb-sucking. This type of thumb-sucking is a symbol of insecurity among the children.

● There is a common belief that a mother will not conceive again so long as she continues breast-feeding to her child. In other words, it can be said that breast feeding acts as a contraceptive too.

● Some mothers believe that breast feeding may harm their physical beauty. But such an idea is wrong. Moreover, it has been found that the possibility of deadly cancer becomes less if breast feeding is done.

● The uterus and the abdomen of the mother return to their normal shape because of breast feeding.

Every Mother Should Know what About Breast Feeding

Most pregnant women know that breast feeding is best for them and their babies/ new born child. But they may not know that:

Breast feeding gives mothers a lot of freedom.

Some mothers think that breast feeding will limit what they can do. This is not true. You can breast feed your baby anywhere, and anytime. You do not need to take along bottles or formula. There is no need to worry about where to warm up the milk or about sterilizing bottles.

Breast feeding mothers can eat all foods.

A breast feeding mother should eat many kinds of foods and follow Canada’s Food Guide. You can eat all the foods you want in moderation. Only in some cases do babies react to foods that you have eaten. If that happens do not eat that food for awhile or eat only a small amount.

Mothers who smoke can breast feed.

Some mothers who smoke think they should not breast feed. This is not true. It would be better if the mother quit smoking or smoked less. If she cannot do this, she can still breast feed because it is good for both her and her baby. It is best to smoke after you breast feed your baby. If you smoke outside, your baby will breathe in less smoke.

Mothers can breast feed in public.

You can breast feed your baby at anytime, anywhere. In Canada, all mothers have the right to breast feed their babies in public. Some mothers feel more comfortable by placing a blanket over their shoulders when they are breast feeding their baby in public.

Most mothers make enough milk for their babies.

The amount of milk depends on how often and how well the baby feeds on the breast. More milk will come when the baby breast feeds more often and has a good latch and suck.

Fathers and partners can be involved.

Fathers and partners can learn about how breast feeding will help their baby. They can bring the baby to be breast fed. They can offer the mother a glass of water or juice while she is breast feeding.

They can burp the baby afterwards. Fathers and partners can encourage mothers to keep breast feeding, and to get help if they need it.

Fathers and partners play an important role with the new baby. They can get to know their new baby by bathing, changing, and holding their baby. They can encourage the mother to rest when she can. They can make sure the mother is not bothered by the phone or visitors when she is resting.

Breast feeding does not hurt.

In the first week, it is common for nipples to feel tender. This gets better in a few days.

The two most common reasons for painful breast feeding are poor positioning and poor latch. If you are feeling pain, make sure you get some help.

Breast feeding mothers can tell if their babies are getting enough breast milk.

A mother knows that her baby is getting enough breast milk by the number of wet and dirty diapers, the amount of weight the baby gains, and the way the baby breast feeds.

Breast feed often.

Start breast feeding right after your baby is born. Your new baby will need to feed often. Breast feed whenever your baby seems hungry. Don't wait until your baby is crying loudly. They may be too upset to feed well.

Breast Feeding Resources

There are many resources that can help you learn more about breast feeding and where to get help.

Properly Take Care Your Baby

In the first year of life, parenting is about comforting your baby and making sure they are safe. Your baby will feel loved and safe if you comfort them when they are startled, scared, or upset. You will not spoil your baby by holding them. Your baby wants to be close to you. Babies cry to tell you that they need something. They may be hungry, tired, wet, cold, or hot. They may want to be held. Try to respond before your baby is crying loudly. If your baby has any of the following signs, or if you feel something is not right, see a health care provider right away.

• Your baby is hard to wake or seems very weak.

• Your baby is breathing very quickly or has trouble breathing.

• Your baby’s lips or ear lobes are blue or grey.

• Your baby is losing weight or gaining more weight.

• Your baby has a fever (has a temperature).

• Your baby has sunken eyes or the soft spot on top of the head is sunken.

• Your baby has a dry mouth, lips, tongue, or nose.

• Your baby's skin is pale, cold, and moist.

• Your baby's whole body, arms, and legs are shaking (having a seizure).

• Your baby vomits more than twice in one day.

• Your baby is passing less pee (urine) or has dark yellow urine.

• Your baby has more poops (bowel movements) than usual and they are watery.

• Your baby usually has regular poops (bowel movements), but suddenly stops.

• Your baby feeds poorly or refuses to feed.

• Your baby cries more often, or differently. Nothing you do seem to help.

A Good Latch for smooth breastfeeding

A good latch is important for your baby to breast­feed effectively and for your comfort. During the early days of breastfeeding, it can take time and patience for your baby to latch on well.

Signs of a good latch

1.The latch feels comfortable to you, without hurting or pinching. How it feels is more impor­tant than how it looks.

2.Your baby’s chest is against your body and he or she does not have to turn his or her head while drinking.

3.You see little or no areola, depending on the size of your areola and the size of your baby’s mouth. If areola is showing, you will see more above your baby’s lip and less below.

4.When your baby is positioned well, his or her mouth will be filled with breast.

5.The tongue is cupped under the breast, al­ though you might not see it.

6.You hear or see your baby swallow. Some babies swallow so quietly, a pause in their breathing may be the only sign of swallowing.

7.You see the baby’s ears “wiggle” slightly.

8.Your baby’s lips turn out like fish lips, not in. You may not even be able to see the bottom lip.

 

9.Your baby’s chin touches your breast.